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Student Athletes Beware: March Madness Gambling Has Serious Consequences
Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC
Date: March 13, 2013
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Student Athletes joining in on a campus pool for March Madness is harmless fun, right? Don’t bet on it!
The chance to earn a little money through March Madness gambling brackets and betting pools may be enticing and seemingly harmless to student athletes. However, many may not be aware that small “friendly wagers” constitute a violation of sports law and the provisions that govern gambling.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association monitors gambling among student athletes very closely during March Madness, and committing NCAA violations by gambling can reap serious consequences for otherwise stellar student athletes. This includes making bets through a bookmaker, the internet or any other method utilized by organized gambling, or giving information to another individual to make bets.
Athletes should keep in mind that while NCAA laws do not expressly prohibit athletes from filling out the typical team bracket sheet, it does fall into the gambling (and therefore illegal) category when money is paid to enter the pool and prizes of any nominal value are given. The simple rule to remember is that if the contest requires an entry fee and can result in winning a prize, then chances are it is considered to be sports wagering and is prohibited. Entry fees and/or prizes come in many “shapes and sizes” but typically involve something of value in either case. There are many contests that are free to enter but offer a prize. There are also contests that charge a fee, but result in no prize. These are permissible contests that should not jeopardize your eligibility as a NCAA student-athlete.
Those who are found to be in violation of NCAA law can face a number of punishments which may include indefinite suspension from a team or expulsion from school, both of which may jeopardize students from being drafted into professional sports leagues. In addition, players may also be banned from professional sports and, in serious cases, face jail time.
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